This all went down at the Koi Festival on Belle Isle. In it's second year, the fest was bigger and better than the inaugural event held last year. The Koi Festival celebrates Asian culture, specifically the traditions of Japan. The festival takes the place of the unique Detroit tradition of the Koi Transfer, which isn't happening because the fish have a heated pond now, stay tuned for their feature on Cribs, Aquatic Edition.
So no buckets required, but still an awesome time. There were live performances courtesy of the Great Lakes Taiko Center Drum ensemble and an action-packed demonstration of traditional combat-fighting styles from the Detroit Kendo Dojo Martial Arts. Those were the squad with the swords. They were bamboo- not metal--- but they still packed a punch and you could def hear when someone got hit.
The Belle Isle Conservancy knocked themselves out this year, introducing a ton of traditional Japanese games for kids, and new things to discover-- Ikebana! The Japanese floral designs were in the Conservatory- the perfect spot for flowers.
So although I'm kinda sad about not scooping our Koi friends up into buckets--- I am totally excited to visit the Koi in their permanent home and celebrate them at the Koi Festival. See ya next year!
Related: Koi Transfer at Belle Isle